Sanjay Manjrekar relieved after India undo staggering Washington Sundar move: ‘Hardik Pandya got a chance to bat higher’

Backing India’s tactical tweak, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar weighed in on the decision to push Tilak down the order during the Super 8 clash.

Updated on: Feb 27, 2026, 19:30:58 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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India’s tactical shuffle paid rich dividends in the Super 8 contest against Zimbabwe as Tilak Varma was asked to bat lower down the order. Having struggled to convert starts at No. 3 and with constant chatter around his strike rate growing louder, the move eased some of that burden. Slotted in at No. 6, the left-hander walked in with a clear brief and made an immediate impact. Tilak tore into the bowling with an unbeaten 44 off just 16 deliveries, shifting momentum decisively in India’s favour. He peppered the boundary with three fours and four sixes, combining smart placement with clean hitting. Alongside Hardik Pandya, he applied the finishing touches to cap a dominant batting effort.

Hardik Pandya scored a fifty against Zimbabwe. (PTI)

Backing India’s tactical tweak, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar weighed in on the decision to push Tilak down the order during the Super 8 clash. He felt the change brought out the best in the left-hander and also allowed better balance in the middle order, particularly with Hardik getting more time at the crease as he was shocked to see Washington Sundar batting over him against South Africa.

"Tilak Varma down the order. Good move from India. I've seen this guy bat down the order. I just feel that he feels less pressure when batting down the order as opposed to number three. So I think that is the slot for him in the bigger game that will come after this which also means that Hardik Pandya got a chance to bat higher up in the batting order. I was just staggered when I saw Washington Sundar bat at number five in the last game against South Africa and Hardik Pandya at number seven," Manjrekar said in a video on his Instagram handle.

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“Abhishek handled the slow ball beautifully”

Sharing his assessment of Abhishek's return to form, Manjrekar pointed out that the half-century was significant for more than just the numbers. He highlighted the technical adjustments and composure the youngster displayed, suggesting there were encouraging signs in India’s batting approach overall.

"Yes, he got a 50 but the most important thing was he handled the slow ball beautifully. A couple of sixes that he hit where he sort of waited for the slow ball to come to him, spotted it very early but didn't go after it. Just waited for it to come close to him and then the big swing of the bat came to put that ball in the stand. So some very positive signs with India's batting because that was more of a worry than the bowling," Manjrekar added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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